Idioms, Farts & Buckets: Life with Neurodivergent, Literal Kids

Raising neurodivergent, literal-thinking kids can be wonderfully fun and wildly confusing, especially when idioms get involved. Idioms are those quirky expressions that don't mean exactly what the words say.

Phrases like “let the cat out of the bag,” “keep your eyes peeled,” or “break a leg” send my kids into hyper-literal mode. Suddenly, they’re picturing terrified cats and broken limbs. Then the questions start flying.

Here’s the thing: I can’t always answer them. Idioms confuse me too. Google helps… sometimes. But even then, the origins are often just as weird as the phrases.

So here are six real-life examples of idioms turning our conversations into hilarious misadventures.

Can you relate?

Burn a Hole in Your Pocket

My aunt gives my son $100 and says, “Don’t burn a hole in your pocket!”

He stares at her. “Why would I light my pants on fire?”

Then he pauses. “Wait... is it like lighting farts on fire? Grandpa said you do that.”

He narrows his eyes. “Do you have a fire problem?”

Origins of "Burn a Hole in Your Pocket"

This idiom has nothing to do with farts and fire. That’s just my kid’s hyperactive imagination with a love of fart jokes.

The phrase “burn a hole in your pocket” might go back to 1500s, when Sir Thomas More – an English statesman famous for his work Utopia – wrote this in one of his works: “A little wanton money, which burned out the bottom of his purse.”

Of course, he wasn’t talking about denim or actual pockets, just that money can burn a metaphorical hole when it’s begging to be spent.

(See note at the end of this post about sources for idiom origins).

Stiff the Waiter 

“We don’t want to stiff the waiter,” I say to my kid.

His eyes widen. “Wait... if we don’t leave a tip… he turns into a stiff?”

Just then, the waiter walks by. My kid looks up at him.

“I don’t want you to die!”

We left a good tip – and a very confused waiter.

Origins of "Stiffing Someone"

The word “stiff” has multiple meanings. It can mean something is rigid or inflexible.

As a slang meaning, it refers to a dead person.

Then in the 1930s and 40s, restaurant and hotel workers began saying, “to stiff” someone as a person failing to tip a service worker – because a dead body or a “stiff” would not be expected to pay a tip.

Well, my kids still questioned this background information. It didn’t really help them understand the idiom. Me, neither.

Kick the Bucket

My kid hears someone say, “Yeah, she kicked the bucket.”

He looks confused. “Wait… like the dog’s water bucket? That’s SO MEAN.”

I say, “No, no. It means she died.”

He gasps. “So you KICK people when they die?!”

Now I’m confused. I change the subject.

Because nothing says death like… a bucket. Obviously.

Origins of "Kick the Bucket"

Warning: this one gets a little dark…

The origin of this one might be as grim as kicking people when they die. This one has different possible meanings, but we’ll look at the most common one.

Back in the 16^th century, the word “bucket” could refer to a beam, including a beam used to hang animals during slaughter.

When a pig or other animal hung from the beam upside down, they might kick during their final moments, leading to the phrase, “kick the bucket,” with the bucket referring to the beam.

Again, grim. I regret looking this one up with my kids…

Under the Weather

I tell my kid, “I’m feeling under the weather.”

He rolls his eyes. “Mom. We’re always under the weather. It’s called the atmosphere.”

I say, “No, I just mean I’m sick. I have a cold.”

He smirks. “So… high pressure? Low pressure? Is the weather causing…nose pressure?”

Great. I’ve got a cold… and a snotty pants.

Origins of "Under the Weather"

This phrase refers to sailors who are not feeling well and are sent below the deck of a ship. They are literally going under the upper deck.

Then it evolved to refer more generally to feeling unwell, without having an nautical reference.

As my kid said, we’re not sailors, so it’s silly to pretend we are when using this idiom. Fair point.

Red Tape

I say the paperwork’s delayed because of red tape.

My kid laughs. “Well, just peel it off.”

“No, no," I say. "It's not real tape. It's just an expression for—”

He cuts me off. “Mom, aren’t you a little old to believe in imaginary tape?”

Okay, I think he's still a bit mad at me for lying about Santa...

Origins of "Red Tape"

In the past, red tape was NOT imaginary.

This phrase likely dates back to the early 16^th century practice of using red ribbons to bind official documents.

Then later, Charles Dickens – in this novel David Copperfield – associated a bound-up, inefficient government system with “red tape.”

Over time, “red tape” evolved to mean excessive rules, regulations, and procedures that create burdens and reduce efficiency.

Looking up the origins of this one seemed a bit boring to my kids...

Ball’s in His Court

I say to my kid, “Well, the ball’s in his court.”

He blinks. “Wait, you’re not going to kick him in the balls, are you?”

“What? No!”

“Then why are you talking about balls?”

I didn't mean to go THERE!

Quick redirection strategy: “Let’s just go to McDonald’s.”

"Okay!"

Origins of "Ball's in Someone's Court"

My kid’s mind running to mom kicking some guy in a delicate spot makes total sense in our family because I teach women’s self-defense.

The actual origin of this phrase maybe makes more sense than all of the other ones!

A ball being in someone’s court comes from tennis. When the ball is on the side of a player’s court, it’s their responsibility to take action to return it to the other player.

The idiom means it’s someone’s responsibility to respond or make the next move.

It really has nothing to do with kicking.

Of course, we only teach kicking in self-defense — not during idiom discussions.

Idioms: They Don’t Stand a Chance Against Neurodivergent, Literal Kids

Some people say idioms make communication easier.

But… how?

In my house, using an idiom means facing a barrage of questions from my neurodivergent, literal-thinking kids.

Every phrase gets dissected, challenged, and often Googled… all in the name of curiosity and clarity.

Still, I love it. The conversations are confusing, funny, and unexpected (kind of like loud questions about public stink).

So if your child ever asks why someone would light their pants (or farts) on fire or whether “stiffing the waiter” is illegal… welcome. We’re figuring it all out, one idiom at a time.

“Mom, are you sure idiom doesn’t actually mean idiot?”

I’ll just leave it at that.

 Jen with Cool Wiring

A Quick Note on Sources

While many idioms have fascinating (and sometimes debated) origins, I’ve chosen not to include source links in this post.

Unfortunately, many of the websites that cover idiom histories are filled with intrusive pop-up ads or content I wouldn’t feel comfortable directing readers to.

I encourage curious readers to explore further – but with caution when it comes to online sources.